Since seeking or digging for diamonds is no longer an imperial monopoly, every one is at liberty to employ himself in this occupation, and yet it is exercised as much as possible in secret.

No one will acknowledge looking for them, in order to avoid paying the State its share as fixed by law.

The precious stones are sought for and dug out at certain spots, from heaps of sand, stones, and soil, which have been washed down by the heavy rains.
I had found lodgings in a venda for the last time, the preceding evening, at Canto Gallo.

I had now to rely upon the hospitality of the proprietors of the fazendas.

Custom requires that, on reaching a fazenda, any person who desires to stop the middle of the day or the night there, should wait outside and ask, through the servant, permission to do so.